The Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has arrested a suspected serial fraudster, Olaogun Babatunde, said to be on the wanted list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Babatunde was also apprehended by the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in 2018 for allegedly defrauding a businessman at Computer Village by generating fake alerts to purchase computers worth N4.6m.
It was gathered that the offence that landed him in IRT’s net involved the generation of fake N3.5 million alert in favour of one Chidinma Vivian Okwenna, who he collected new notes from.
He was said to have met the victim through social networks and they subsequently exchanged numbers after he allegedly claimed to be a legitimate businessman.
He was alleged to have met the woman on December 9 last year at First Bank Wuse Zone Two where he requested for N5m new notes, claiming that his boss needed the money.
It was gathered that immediately, the woman rallied, raised N3.5 million and handed it over to him. Babatunde generated fake bank credit alert of its equivalent through Zenith Bank acçounts and sent to her.
He was said to have immediately excused himself from the bank, claiming he had a meeting with someone.
“Immediately he stepped out of the bank, he blocked the woman from reaching him both on social platforms and mobile networks.
“All the efforts made by the fraud victim to reach him proved abortive until she reported to FIB-IRT Central Base and the suspect was tracked and arrested in Lokoja, Kogi State.
“Meanwhile, his statement of account was obtained and it was discovered he had just N24,000 in his account on the day of that transaction.
“Upon interrogation, he confessed to have used fake alerts to purchase goods worth billions of naira, adding that he had defrauded many traders in Lagos and other cities,” said a source.
Babatunde, it was learnt, usually targeted women online by pretending to be a dealer on wigs, clothing and other female items.
